Cumberland County Animal Services (CCAS) received a $1,000 grant from Petco Love (formerly The Petco Foundation) during a heartwarming presentation over the weekend. Petco Love is a lifesaving nonprofit that inspires and empowers animal lovers to save pet lives.

On Aug. 24, 2020, an Animal Services officer picked up a female Chihuahua mix as a stray in a rural area within the county. A resident had called Animal Services to pick it up after noticing it running in the street. The senior dog came into the shelter with heartworms, an enlarged heart and spinal arthritis. When no owner came forward, Animal Services placed the dog with Hope Animal Rescue out of Durham. Alyssa Stepien, an Adoption Ambassador with Petco Love, adopted the dog and wanted to repay the kindness shown by CCAS through the grant.

“I don’t know if the dog, which we named Cinnabon (aka Bonbon), would have been alive to this day if it wasn’t for the care from Animal Services, which is why I’m awarding this grant,” said Stepien. “Bonbon is truly the light of my family’s life.”

“Animal Services truly appreciates this support from Alyssa and Petco Love,” Animal Services Director Elaine Smith said. “It will be used to purchase outdoor play equipment and other enrichment items for the animals in our shelter so that they can play and lower their stress levels while they await adoption.”

About Cumberland County Animal Services

The mission of the Cumberland County Animal Services Department is to protect our citizens by active enforcement of state and local laws, provide for the humane sheltering and outcome of stray and unwanted animals, and promote responsible pet ownership. The primary objective of Animal Services employees is to provide excellent service to the citizens while dedicating themselves to improving the welfare of animals and humans. For more information, visit the Animal Services department page or their Facebook page.